Apparatus for the manufacture of black powder and other explosives.



F. I. DU FONT.

TUBE 0F BLACK POWDER APPLICATION FILED JULY 28, 1909.

AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES.

Patented July 19, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET l.

F. I. DU PON T. APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BLACK POWDER AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES. APPLICATION FILED JULY 28,1909.

964,550, Patented July 19, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

. ZM mwr F. I. DU PONT. I APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF BLACKPOWDER AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 28,1909.

Patented July 19, 1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS I. DU PONTQOF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, ASSIGNOR TO E. I. DU PONT'DE NEMOURS POWDER COMPANY,- OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE, A CORPORATION OF' NEW JERSEY.

APPARATUS FOR THE MAN UEACTURE BLACK POWDER AND OTHER EXPLOSIVES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 19, 1910.

Application filed July 28, 1909. Serial No. 510,070.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS I. no Pom, acitizen of the United States, residing at WVilmington, county of Newcastle, and State of Delaware, have invented anew and useful Improvement in Apparatus for the Manufacture of Black Powder and other Explosives, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, whic n form a part of this specification.

Primarily my improved apparatus is illtended for the manufacture of what is known as black powder, which usually consists of a mixture of nitrate of soda, charcoal and sulfur.

The object of my invention is to produce, by the aid of the apparatus which isillustrated in this application, and which is claimed in this and other applications filed as hereinafter indicated, black powder continuously and more safely and rapidly than is the general practice at the present time.

My inventioncan be best described by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which F igure 1 1s a general view partlally in a section of an apparatus embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a detail sectional view of pump. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of same. Fig. t is a detail view partially in section of distributer. Fig. 5 is a top plan view partially in section of distributer with aportion' of easing removed. Fig. 6 is a apparatus for producing the powder in grain form, and then specifically point out the particular apparatus thereof which forms the subject matter of this application.

In the other applications hereinafter men tioned, I willspecifically describe other ortionsof the apparatus or layout and c aim the same.

' a is the mixing vessel in which is placed a solution containing 73 parts of nitrate of soda, 16 parts of charcoal and 11 parts ofsulfur, to which is added 100 parts of waters In this vessel is the agitator b, which forced into the tube m.

.is rotated by the shaft 0 on the upper end of which is the gear (I, driven by the gear f on the shaft g, which shaft is rotated by mechanism not shown. This mixing Vessel has an inclined bottom h, converging to the hopper mouth 2'. In this converging bottom, and on the shaft 0, is the agitator j. The bottom of the shaft 0 is provided with a spiral or threaded portion is. When the material is placed in this mixer, by the revolution of the shaft and the consequent action of the agitator or mixer 12, an intimate mixture of the ingredients before described is caused to take place. The agitator or beater j prevents any settling or clogging of the hopper bottom of the mixing vessel a, the screw is breaking up any solid matter tending to clog at that point. This hopper is connected with a pump of novel construction. This pump consists of the tube Z, the walls of which are quite thick and one end of which tube-is connected to the nozzle or hopper z, and the other end to the pipe m. This tube is made of rubber, or a composition of rubber and canvas. It is supported vertically.

n are frames carrying the sprocket Wheels 0 and the guide rails p. These sprocket wheels 0 0 are interconnected to revolve at the same speed by means of the gearing g g.

1- are the sprocket chains, to which chains are connected the rollerst carrying the guide rollers s, which .bear against the guide rails As may be seen, these rollers t bear against the opposite sides of the tube 1, and, in the movement of the sprocket chain deflate and release said tube, causing the material which is then in a liquid condition to be rapidly drawn through said tube and It has been omitted to state that the bottom of the vessela is provided with the jacketu through which steam is passed in the usual manner. The pipe m; terminates in a distributing valve from which branches 4) extend to the ev'aporators w. These evaporators are jacketed tubes, provided with internal conveyers and are constructed and operate in the manner ,.described and claimed in application filed by me November 18th, 1908, Serial No. 463,248, the only difference between the construction here illustrated and that of said application being that the steamjackets in that application terminate in a header common to,all, from which the steam passes;

I which shafts are conveyers, not shown, for

carrying the material through the evaporaf tors, all as described and illustrated in my I aforesaid application.

" through which steam or other heating mepre en s ciently remain orifices The distributing valve hereinbefore spoken of, see Figs. 4 and 5, I will now describe. This valve consists of the casing, in which is the inlet 6, into which passes the pipe m from which casing pass the outlets 7 to the various evaporators '10. In the casing is the valve 8, having a passage 9. This valve is mounted upon the shaft 2, so as to rotatein the casing. It is rotated quite rapidly, and, in the rotation of the shaft, the passage 9 registers consecutively with the passages 7, by which means a like amount of material is fed to eachevaporator. The tubes of the evaporators terminate in a stack or chute 10,

the top of which is open and through which open end passes the vapor produced in said drying action. The lower end of this stack 10 is provided with the jacketed portion 11,

dium is passed in the ordinary manner. Above this jacket isthe grooved flange 12 in the groove of which are the edges of a metal belt 13. This metal belt 13 is provided with smallorifices 14, and at its edges. 7 with larger orifices 15.

In the evaporator above described, the treatment is such that the material comes from said apparatus in a semi-liquid condition, preferably of the consistency of thick soup. Initially, in passing down thls stack, the material may pass through the orifices 14 until the space between the orifices and the jacketed portion .is filled, after which the orifices will become filled with the material in' this stage of its manufacture. The large orifices 15 being coveredby the flange portion cannot receive any of this material.

This metal belt is a continuous belt passing over the rollers 17 and 18, of which 17 is the driving wheel and will hereinafter be.

more fully described. In the travel of the belt after passingbeyond the bottom of the stack 10, it passes-through the cooling chamber 19. During this passage into and through thi'schamber 19, the belt is directly he-t naa ba tomatte j itheolt fi item .di'oppingfout, Theichamberll cQlltacted a t t ith' ia tth ug which; h estimate mannemicoolin liquid or ot er; cooling, me; diuin i ipaw ai. ass ng. throng] chamber the ,mater al is; solidifi pipe for the jackets, and 1* provided withjaeketed walls, t rough which steam is passed. i

22 and 23 are the chamber, atmosphere. j 1

24 are inlet pipes extending from the tube or passage-25, leading from the blower.

As may be seen, in the passage oft-his belt through this chamber, the material is subjected to walls. Further, when air is blown through the openings 24:, by means of the passages 22 it will pass into'contact with the under surface ofthe perforated metal belt and will pass through the large orifices 15 in said belt and then pass along the upper side of said pass ages extending around the passages 23 leading v to the material on thebelt is not only heated and dried by means of the heat in the walls or jacket, but also by the air which is blown through. Reliance for heating this air may be had upon heat of the jackets before described. in the chamber 21, or it may be heated previous to entering the chamber.

The driving wheel is provided with projections 30, which enter the large orifices 15 in the belt, and are used to drive the belt. There are also around this belt and in line with the orifices14, projections 26 of a-size such as will enter the orifices 14. As the belt passes over these projections, they will enter the orifices 14, forcing the powder blocks or grains out of the orifices, as shown in Fig. 9 of the drawings.

In order to insure the removal of the powder grains, a scraper. 27 is provided, which, as shown, in the revolution of the grains from the belt. The powder thus formed is in grains, which maybe glazed,

esses' for marketing,

I claim herein only that part of the apparatus which relates to the reception of quent treatment. The remainder of my invention with respect to said apparatus forms the subject matter of separate applications filed by me July 18, 1909, and serlally numbered 510,068 and 510,069. g

Having now fully described my tion, what I claim and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

1. In an apparatus for forming and a'ej iiofl ia then passesthrough the dryin chamber 21,

the heat of the steam jacketed.

belt, escaping by the passages 23. Thus the" wheel 17, with certainty frees the powder treating powder grains, in combination, a

. iormi g ian 1n combmation a mg atl sed" lower i1 the material upon the belt and its subse inveni 1 trav ling "10 'ificed i g above the b t. 13 I i a 1 it 1 l Q 3. In an apparatus for forming and treating powder grains, in combination, a traveling belt havin perforations to receive the materials'to ie formed, a receiving chamber through which'said belt passes, said belt traveling above the bottom of said-receiving chamber. 4. In an apparatus for forming and treatinn" powder grains, in combination, a traveling belt having perforations to receive the 7 materials to be formed, a heated receiving chamber through which the said belt passes.

5. In an apparatusfor' forming and treating powder grains, in combination, a traveling belthaving on its outer ortions perforations and intermediate per orations to re ceive the material to be treated, a receiving chamber through which said belt passes and means for covering the firstnamed perforamaterial. 6. In an apparatus for forming and treating powder grains, in combination, a traveling belt having on its outer portions perforations and intermediate perforations to receive the material to be treated, a heated receiving chamber through which said belt passes and means for covering the first named perforations in order that they may not receive any material; I 7. In an apparatus for forming and treatmg powder grains, in combination, a traveling belt having perforations to receive the material tobe treated, a receiving champ'asses after leaving the receiving chamber. 8. In an apparatus for forming and treat; mg powdergrains, in combination, a travelmgbelt having perforations to receive the material to be .treated, a receiving chamber through which said belt asses,-and a cooling chamber through which said belt passes after leaving the receiving chamber, said belt being, throughout its materialecont'ainng perforations, directly supported in passmg to and through saidcoolin chamber.

9. In an apparatus for forming and treatpowder' grains, in combination, a travel-. ;1ng belt having perforations to. receive thematerial to be treated, a receiving chamber throughwhlch said-belt passes, and a cooling chamber through which said belt passes 'after leaving the receiving chamber, sald belt 5 --be1ng, throughout its material containing perforations, covered above and below passing to and through said cooling chamer, g 10. In an apparatus for forming and treatng powder grains, in combination, a travelmg elthavm'g perforations to receive the material to be treated, a heated receivingchamber through which 'said belt asses,-and a coohng chamber through whic said belt passes after leaving the'rceiving'chamber.

tions in order that they may not receive any.

.ber through which said belt passes, and a cooling chamber through which said beltleaving the receiving chamber, said .belt

ing belt having throughout a portion of its the material to be treated, a receivingcham- 11. In an apparatus for forming and treating owder ains, in combination, a traveling elt having perforations to receive the material to be treated, a heated receiving chamber through which said belt" asses, and a cooling chamber through whic said belt passes after leaving thereceiving chamber,. said belt being, throughout its operative perforations, directly supported in passing to and through said coolingchamber;

12. In an apparatus for forming and treat ing powder grains, in combination, a traveling belt having perforations to receive the v vmaterial to be treated, a heated receiving chamber through'which said belt passes, and a coolin chamber through which said belt passes a er leaving the receiving chamber, said belt being, throughout its operative perforations, covered above and. below inpass ing to and through-said cooling chamber 13. In an-apparatus for forming and creat ing powder grains, in combination, a traveL- ing belt having throughout a portion of its width, perforations or notches, and throughout another portion of its width perforations to receive the material to be treated, 3(18- ceiving chamber through which said belt 2 passes, and means to'cover'the first named perforations while the belt passes through the receiving chamber, and a cooling chamber through which said beltpasses after leav ing the receiving chamber.

14:. In an apparatus for forming and-treat ing powder rains, incombination a traveling belt having throughout a portion of its. width, perforations or'notches; and through out another portion of its width perforations to receive the material .to be treated, a receiving chalnber through which said beltpasses, andv means to cover the first named perforations while the belt passes through the receiving chamber, and a cooling chamber through which said belt passes after throughout the extent ofthlast named perforations 'beingcovered both; above and be-, low inpassing to andthrough said cooling chamber.

15. In an apparatus for forming and treat-. ingpowder grains, in combination, a travelwidth, perforations, and throughout another portion of I its width perforations to receive berthrough which said belt passes, and means. tocover the first named erforations while the belt passes throu t 6 receiving chamber, and a'cooling. .c' amber through 'which said belt passes after leavin the. re-;

ceiving chamber, said belt throng out the. extent of the last named perforations being directly-supportedin'passmg toandthrough said cooling chamber. I 16. In an apparatus for'forming and treat ing powder grains, combination, adrying 1 9 chamber, a traveling belt in said drying I perforations are to admit heated air amg.

chamber; said belt having adaptedto receive the materlal to be dried, said drying chamber having heated walls there being passages through said heated- -walls,. but notin communication with the in terior of the heated walls, some of which others to allow theescape of the same, sai belt having, in

addition to the perforations to receive the material, other'perforations through which the air may pass.

-- '17. In an apparatus for forming and treating owderms, in combination, a travelmg elt having perforations, means to fill certain of said perforations with the material, means to solidify said material .in'

i said perforations, a drying chamber through which saidbelt passes, said chamber having sages between sections, ,a source of heating H there '45 'travelin belt'havlng erforations, means to- ,sectionaljacketed -walls, there passages between sections, a source of rying fluid,- for example, heated air, in communication with the belt and outlets-1n communication with the passages. on one side of the passages on the opposite side of the belt.

n an apparatus for forming treating powder grains, in combination, a traveling belt hav perforations, means to fill certain of the sai erforations with material/means-of solidig'ing said material in said perforations, a drying chamber through which said belt passes,"sa1d chamber having sectional jacketed walls, there being pasfluid, for example, hot air, in communication with the passages on one side of the belt,

and outlets in communication with the ;sages on theopposite sideofthe belt, a ulley beyond 'saiddr-ying chamber over w ich said belt passes, rojections on said pulley in -..alinement wit h said erforatio s, and ada tedin the :passage of the belt enter sai 1perforations and force thev material m 1 19, In ,anIapparat'us for forming and treating powder. ains, in wcombinatlom' a" fill certain .ofsaid .per orations with the ma terial, means 'to'sohdify or partially solidify said materiabin said rforations, .a drym I chamber-throughwhic said belt passes, sai

prgjegtions oh jsaid pulley in aliriement with assagesbetweenb sections, a ,flllld, for-example, hot air, 1n communication with passagesonone side other fluid can pass from the passages on the one side of the belt to the." assageson the; "otherside of the belt, apul ey beyond said drying chamber over which said belt passes,

sa perforations, andieadapted in the passaid chamber, Ind an outlet vso and force the material therefrom, and-a 20. In, an apparatus for forming and treating powder grains, in combination, a

sage of the belt toenter said perforations scraper, the 'active'end of which is m alinement with the upper surface of said belt; I .7

drying chamber, a traveling belt said drying chamber, said belt having perforations ada ted -to receive the material,;- a

source of eatin fluid, for example, hot air,

communication v and said. ohamber on one side of the belt,

the heatingNfl-uid to pass from one slde of the belt to the other.

drying chamber, a traveling belt said drying chamber, said bel'thaving perforations. adapted ,to receive the material, a source of heating fluid, for example, hot

to travelfora'certain distance on both sides of said belt.

"22. In; an' apparatus traveling belt having perforatipns, means to fill certain of' said perforations with -masource of heatingfluid, for example, hotheating .fluid' and "s belt, till it has taken up a certa namount to force fresh heating. fluid, ,for exam le,

rangement to insure that, the material will be thoroughly dried.

23. In an apparatus for of 1, said perforations. with-111 B material,

port said belt to preventthematerialfrdm :falling out of'the perforations before it is sufliciently solidified, a drying chambe -through vwhichsaid belt passes, "a son 21. .In. an apparatus for forming and treating 'poW-dergrains, in combinatlonya for -for1ning and] ,treating powder grains, 'in combination, a,

terial, means to solidify or partially solidify sa d material inisaid perforations, a-drylng vchamber through which said belt passes, a

of moisture from the material and' means' "hot ,airalong another portion of said elt' on bothv sides and to escape, having taken, a up a further portioniof moisture from'the 1 .m'atjerial and suflic'ientorepetition ofthis ar etween .said heating fluid i and an outlet on theopposite side ofthe belt, and perforations or passages to permit j air, and means to force said heating fluid" air, communication'between said source of aiid chamber, and means to force said heating fluid to travel for a; 1 certain "distance along both sideis of=said y forming-1, an clQ ;treat1ng-' powder grams, atravelingk belt having perforations, means t s .fi'l 1 i'certaiu .ef iheatingufluid, fore p r munication' between said heating fluidj and-- that the heating fluid will-*be forded into said belt passes, I projections on said pulley adapted in the-'passage -of the said belt to arranged v 1215' contact with both sides of said-beltga uli ley beyond said dryingchamben-over w 'ch in aline'mentwith said perforations and 1&5 means to' -soli( lify. 01" partially solidify-said material in sald perforations, means to sup-x enter said perforations and force the-ma-' terial therefrom.

24. In an apparatus for forming and treating powder grains, a traveling belt having perforations, means to fill certain of said perforations with the material, means to solidify or partially solidify said material in said perforations, means to support said belt to prevent the material from falling out of the perforations before it is sufliciently solidified, a drying'chamber through which said belt passes, a source of heating fluid, for example, hot air, communication between said heating fluid and said chamher, and an outlet so arranged that the heating fluid will be forced into contact with drying chamber projections on said pulley in alinement with both sides of said belt, a pulley beyond said over whlch said belt passes,

said perforations and adapted in the passage of the said belt to enter said perforations and force the material therefrom, and a scraper, the active end of which is in alinement with the upper surface of the said belt.

In testimony of which invention, I have hereunto set my hand, at Wilmington, D'eL,

on this 23d day of July 1909.

FRANGIS I. DU PONT.

Witnesses:

WM. S. LANIAR, GORDON L. NAYLOB. 

